Poughkeepsie's downtown revitalization continues through intense heat
At the massive renovation of the old Wallace's Department Store, about 20 workers have been carrying on like they usually would, with a few safety adjustments.
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The revitalization of downtown Poughkeepsie has not paused despite 100-degree "real feel" temperatures.
Isaiah Sylvester has been fencing and landscaping the area in front of a building on Main Street that is being renovated. It is one of four construction sites News 12 visited Thursday right as the heat was peaking.
The pavement seemed to be making the work area feel a few degrees hotter than on the sidewalk.
Sylvester said he has been eating a lot of fruits and nuts, plus constantly hydrating. His shift runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a midday lunch break.
"When it (the heat) starts dying down, that's when we get off," Sylvester said. "Gotta pay the bills. Money doesn't stop. Gotta keep working."
Just nearby at the massive renovation of the old Wallace's Department Store, about 20 workers have been carrying on like they usually would with a few safety adjustments.
The team said that in such hot conditions, longer breaks are required. Hydration breaks are about as mandatory as pre-shift safety meetings and proper safety gear.
The workers said they also do regular checks on one another to make sure they are all fit to continue working through the heat.
They said that if intense daytime heat persists for several days, their bosses might dismiss the crew for the day, though they seemed to have a lot of energy left around lunchtime when they spoke with News 12.
At all the work sites News 12 visited Thursday, none had any reports of anyone keeling over or becoming ill because of the heat.
Some construction workers said their safety protocol is to thank for that.
